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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Charm School- It Could be Yours!

When I said yes to review 3 books I had no idea they would be posted the same week. It must up the odds that you will win at least one, right?
I was over the moon when I was contacted by Mary to see if I would want to write a review for their newest book, "Back to Charm School". I've been a fan of Country Threads patterns for years. After seeing their newest book, I have been reminded why I'm such a fan.

Any 'second' book that makes me want to run out and buy the first one has to be a good one!! BTW, the first book is called "Country Threads Goes to Charm School; 19 Little Quilts from 5" squares"

So they sent me two books, and two copies of Goat Gazette. This is their newspaper that has been written for 29 years! It is obvious when reading it they have a true love of animals. What a neat way to get to know the authors and owners of Country Threads.

One of the things I remember from my childhood is the little saying that went with learning manners. Anybody remember this one? Mabel Mabel strong and able get your elbows off the table! I sure do!
Half the fun of reviewing this book was reading the Charm School etiquette. It's sure to bring a smile to your face as well.

Here's the little quilt I opted to make to test the directions. It's called Never Leave the table Before Other Guests.
A sidebar in the book says" Etiquette notwithstanding, no one will want to leave a table with this little centerpiece on it. They'll be too busy admiring all the little squares..." How sweet!!

The book give basic quilting directions so even a beginner could use this to make their first quilt, start to finish. One thing I was glad to see them include in the cutting directions. "Charm School has really only one rule: Cut charms carefully! Some of the projects use every bit of a charm square, so there's no room for mis-cuts."
I have never bought a 5" charm pack, but to make this quilt I cut 5" squares from scraps. This was one project that used every thread of the 5" squares.

If you like small quilts, scrappy quilts, and charm school, you'll love this book.

Below is a few more projects from the book.

You have a lot of chances to win your own copy of this book. Leave a comment here and tell me if you remember little etiquette sayings when you were growing up. I'll draw a name on Sunday the 26th of February. Then be sure to visit the other bloggers and see their reviews. I know Paulette made Keep Your Elbows Off the Table.

239 comments:

I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for but my Mom always told us "eat what you are served." Basically if you are a guest in someone's house there is no complaining about what ends up on your plate....

The Goops they lick their fingersAnd the Goops they lick their knives:They spill their froth on the tableclothOh, they lead disgusting lives!The Goops they talk while eating,And loud and fast they chew;And that is why I'm glad that IAm not a Goop, are you?

It always made us laugh! Back to Charm School looks like a great book! I really like the patterns with very little waste...I don't need more scraps!

I have been thinking and I can't remember anything but "Step on a crack, break your mother's back" and I don't think that is anything to do with manners. Just a something kids said when walking on a sidewalk. I did learn manners but not with sayings.My favorite little quilt would be the one with the fuzzy balls laying on it. The quilt has triangles and squares.

My parents were also always reminding us "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all". Also, "never talk with your mouth full" -- when my dad wanted to be really silly - he would take 8mm movies of us eating... and then be silly and play it the movie backward and we would laugh and laugh... (yuck !)

Looks like there are some cute projects in that book. I don't buy charms but I have plenty of stash to cut my own. Mom always said "Chew with your mouth closed" & we couldn't leave the table without asking to be excused.

We used a different version of that saying at camp: Katie, Katie, strong and able, keep your elbows off the table. This is not a horse's stable, this is the camp's dining table.Thanks for the review and the chance to win the book!

One of my favorite sayings came from an elderly friend, who after a meal would say, "My sufficiency is quite sufficed. Any more would be super abundancy". It was her way of saying thank you. I certainly would enjoy winning the "Charm School" book.

I would love this book. There are so many great projects. Reading all of the comments about etiquette brings back fond memories of my mother. She always told us to sit up straight and chew with you mouth closed.

OOHHH I want this book so much!As far as etiquette, my Nana use to say children should be seen and not heard. It always made me feel bad, she was a little strict, lol.I love your checkerboards - wonderful!

LOVE LOVE LOVE Country Threads! I remember whenever we would have soup, my Grandmother would say "Like a ship going out to sea, I dip my spoon away from me" Oh how much fun my sister and I would have "acting" it out with our morning bowls of cereal;)

I was told it was "bad luck" to sing at the table :) and I loved to sing---my Mom was forever telling me "no singing at the table, honey" :D. I would love to have a copy of that book AND the Goat Gazette. How fun!

Wow, there are a lot of great projects in that book. Country Threads was my very first "favorite" designer and I used to subscribe to the Goat Gazette. This was back before the internet. Whoa, I'm old. As a matter of fact, the first quilt I had machine quilted was done through their shop. Gee, thanks for the memories. Okay, here's my old etiquette rule for the day - it's from the 1880's but I love it and wish today's starlets (and the starlet wanna be's) would heed it: "You should never take dogs with you, nor pets, unless they are specially invited." Don't get me wrong, I love pets. But, they don't belong in your purse especially at the mall.

The little 16 patches look very, very nice - a sweet little quilt. It looks like a wonderful book - thanks for the chance to win. My mom had expressions that she used to remind us of our manners - they were all in Dutch. Those espressions are the only Dutch I know :0)

I just don't remember any of those cute little sayings from when I was little until I read some of the comments and then they come back. I love the little quilt you made...I think that is my favorite! This book is definitely a "must have".

Love the chance to win this book.About the only things I remember hearing as a kid were: "Close the door, we don't live in a barn" and "Are you trying to refrigerate the whole house?" when you would stand in the doorway of the refrigerator looking for something to snack on.

I would LOVE to win this book! I did a Giveaway for the first one last fall and I can see that this one is as great! I had never bought a charm pack until last year--I was getting one to give as a gift and the temptation was too great--I bought one for myself, too. Since then I have succumbed to a couple more and the silly thing is I can't bring myself to cut into any of them! : )I love the little top you made--just so cute!

Love the charm projects. I don't remember any particular etiquette rules but it was considered a major faux pas in our family to be late for any occasion. That was part of my father's military training that he instilled in his children.

reading your post made this little rhyme pop into my head that we would say walking the track in high school arms bent chest high and moving back and fourth....we must, we must, we must improve our bust! not exactly etiquette correct but it's a charmer!

I have no sayings to share--I think we were too busy trying to make a living on the farm. My pet peeve now is people who don't say thank you. I'd love to win this book--there will be more little quilts in my near future, as I need more instant gratification than I get from the last couple huge quilts I've made.

OH gosh, my Mom was raised in the South so my brothers and I learned all the rules of etiquette.Here are some I remember very well:*When someone asks for the salt, ALWAYS pass both the salt and pepper. They should never be 'unmarried' from each other. (never understood this one really)

*Butter or dips should be put onto your own plate before spreading them onto your roll or eating them

*Do NOT talk with food in your mouth!

*Always taste your food before seasoning it.

*Do not use a toothpick or apply makeup at the table.

And the biggest one that I see ALL the time in restaurants now ……*Do not blow your nose at the dinner table. Excuse yourself to visit the restroom.

I just love the look of this book from what I've seen so far. I've been collecting charm packs over the past year off and on so I know this book will be a great help to me.

Wonderful memories reading all of these little sayings...never heard about the "Goops" before but I think I will memorize that one in case I have grandchildren someday! :)The one thing I remember doing a lot in school, as girls, was having to walk with a book on our heads to practice our posture. (Private school) It's funny because I was thinking about that the other day when I was out walking and wondered if they ever do that any more. ??Country Threads was one of the first quilt shops I visited when I started quilting 24 years ago. I love to go there...about 2.5 hours away. I would thoroughly enjoy the book. Thank you, Lori, for such a great review!

Looks like a really fun book - I would love to win one. I lived with my aunt and uncle while attending college. They always said "Man Overboard" to remind their children to take their forks or spoons out of the plate or bowl, and lay them to the side before leaving the table.Myrtlesgirl

When we ate together, we started the meal with a blessing and, then asked each person to say something special that happened that day or a blessing they needed/wanted. Drives me crazy to see men/boys eating with hats on --- where does that come from?!quiltschon@att.net

I remember learning how to place the cutlery with the saying "Dad and the children go 'right' to school and Mom is 'left' at home." The tall knife is Dad, the short spoon is the child, and the medium fork is Mom. Those were the days when Moms were homemakers.

We had lots of sayings when we were kids -- I loved them - My favorite was Star light Star Bright- My grandmother taught me that and I in turn taught it to my kids and grandkids. Love your quilts - I am trying my best to get back into sewing....I could definitely use the Charm Bookemail kimilauri@msn.com

Loved the Mabel rhyme! Also love the charm book - so many scraps, so little time! When I get this round of grandchildren's quilts complete, I'd love to dig into my charm square packets and try one of these. Please and thank you!Patpatriciadudek@yahoo.com

I'm loving this charm school hop. I've joined everyone so far and I'm getting a lot of neat ideas. Small is what I like to do so this book would be a great one to have. My mom used to say "The counter is for glasses not a$$es." LOL

What fun sayings are being remembered. At our house a cup of water or juice was usually spilled and my parents would say "Now, the Meal is complete." My father also said he'd rather feed someone that was hungry than one who wasn't. And I can't forget about "The squeaky wheel gets the grease". Thanks for a chance to WIN!

This book is definetly on my list of must have books! I've got their first one.Etiquette is something that I think many of us at "our age" grew up with. I think it lacks now with the new generation. I good one I remember is "Don't interrupt, while others are talking." Even on today's television shows there are "interruption" all over the place...had you noticed?

I don't remember any clever saying but we were taught to always say please and thank you and handwrite thank you cards (which I still do today). Love the preview of this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

Have always loved the Country Threads designs...this one has been on my wish list...one thing I remember from growing up..Deborah, Deborah (pronounce like Dora) don't spit on the floor-a...use the cuspidora that's a what it's for-a

You know, I can't think of any etiquette sayings growing up. What sticks in my mind is my mom saying, "keep your hands off the woodwork!" Kind of a neat freak!This book looks adorable; like one you would pull out to look at over and over again.

I don't remember there ever being a slogan, although there probably was. The etiquette has to do with slurpping soup from your spoon. "Don't speak unles you are spoken to" around adults. "Turn off the lights, the meters running". Reading all the comments has been priceless! Love the opportunity to win. Sandi

We were always told "Don't speak until spoken to" when we went visiting on Sundays. That's back when kids sat quietly on a couch and didn't dare move or make a peep... otherwise you'ld GET IT when you got home! Love the little quilt you made.

we always heard 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. also, we had 11 kids in our family so we heard (mostly at the dinner table when we had visiting guests)'children are to be seen and not heard' but that was always said with a snort because of the impossibility.:) would love to win the book!

Is it terrible of me to be honestly say that I don't remember any sayings? I guess my family was not big on manners! LOL Just kidding about the last part. It sounds like I really need this book! missysaprons@yahoo.com

Love the quilt with the little baskets. My Grandma taught me to set a fancy table with knife and spoon go on the right (same # of letters in knife, spoon and right) and fork goes on the left (same # of letters in fork & left). Thanks for the chance to win. KMA

great book review! and now I'm remembering being reminded to keep your elbows off the table and don't chew with your mouth open...and although this isn't etiquette, you've jogged this memory of my mom reciting "I eat my peas with honey. I've done it all my life. Together they taste funny but it keeps them on the knife."We didn't get it but it made us laugh. :)

Sue: I would dearly love to own this book and winning it would be a thrill. I have a similar rhyming verse as yours only it goes "daughter, daughter, strong and able, remove your elbows from the table"... so here'e to the possibility of winning your wonderful giveaway. I so enjoyed seeing what the other ladies/bloggers were doing with some of those patterns in that book, how neat.

I appreciate the great book review, and would love to have it! The Goat News is something I have to look into. Sounds fun.While growing up, we just got a "stink eye" from my mom, and she said "mind your manners." That was enough!I also love your blog

Hi, here in Germany we have a saying: "Der Esel nennt sich immer zuerst" what means literally in english: "The donkey always says his name first" I don't know if you have something like this. It basically means, that you shoult always put the other persons first and don't be so selfish.I appologize for making too many mistakes. Have a nice day!

My dad always scared me by saying "Liar, liar, pants on fire. Nose as long as a telephone wire!" I must have lied quite a lot when I was little? Hmmm ... after learning to read, Pinocchio got me even more scared :(

I did wonder what the quilt blocks you were making had to do with Jennifer's novel! Now I know :)

Would love to win one of Jennifer's books. My dad gave us lessons on life frequently. Not sure if this counts, but one day we got the life lesson on "never making fun of what someone wears". He instilled in us that kindness was not only a virtue but a necessity for a happy life. MS

I'm glad for the chance to win this cute book written by the Country Threads ladies. Using the charms for table runners is a cute idea. We were told to chew with our mouths closed and to stay politely at the table until the meal was done!

I don't think this really falls into the etiquette catagory; but what I remember most is my mom and my Memere both having the rule that you couldn't leave the table til your plate was empty. Unfortunately, I still eat like that and am often overstuffed when I am done at a restaurant. Love the book and the quilts! Would love to be the happy winner of this to use some of my charms in my stash.

I don't really remember any little sayings that went with table etiquette but I do remember being taught different things by my mother and grandmother. And still today, I can remember which one of them taught me certain things. Thanks for the chance to win this great book. I'm going to do some hopping with this one as I would really like the book :o)

You did a fab job with the reviews and the quilting. Fun! Love the Country Threads book. All of the bloging is making me want want want that book! I was taught something about not repeating myself. Thanks!

We chanted the one about "get your elbows off the table" at camp. Seems like the offender had to get up and walk around the table before getting to continue their meal. Thanks for reviving the memory and for the giveaway!

The book looks wonderful. I am enjoying making smaller quilts as I actually finish them! We were never allowed to leave the dinner table until everyone was finished eating and we had to ask to be excused.

I've loved reading through all your sayings, I am from the UK so haven't heard of some of them. My Dad use to say when we went out to visit "little girls should be seen and not heard" and I had to sit and be quiet, and if we left the door open "were you born in a field!" I have the first Charm School book and love it hope I win one of the new ones. Thanks for the chance.

You wrote a wonderful review! I have the first "Charm School" book by CT and I LOVE it. Of course, I love all of their books! I'd love to win this one. Just looking at the photos you've shown is making my mouth water.

I love your "little squares" quilt! And I really like the striped blocks in the last photo too.

Great book. Thanks for the chance to win one.. If eatting at an Aunt's house you had to at least taste every thing put on your plate. You were not allowed to say any thing but thank you so much. With that said I never made my sons eat what was put on the table but I only cooked one meal for dinner eat it or make your own was my rule..They both grew up as great cooks..

I don't remember any clever etiquitte sayings growing up with three brothers. It was always a demand - "Chew with your mouth closed," or "Go blow your nose!" They responded to that. But maybe that means I need "Charm School?"

This looks like a great book - and I happen to have several charm packs, just waiting to be used up! I don't remember any sayings, but my mom always used to tell me that when she was young, if she said something bad about someone, her grandmother made her say 2 nice things about that person!

Just love all the charm school patterns I've seen thus far. We were admonished not to scrape our plates and always leave a little for Mr. Manners ! I usually left some bits of the food I didn't like. Naturally! Margaret

Great projects. I bought the first book the day it came into the shop.I have made almost all the projects from that first book. I just recently got the second book and I have my eyes on several more projects. I do confess to a tine little obcession with charm packs.ANYWHOOOO I don't need the book, but wanted to comment. :)

I have subscribed to their delightful newsletters for well over 20 years! When I collect a few I like to pass them on to a friend. We had fun on our visit there with our young grand daughter in the early nineties. We were always reminded not to waste food but to clean our plate.

Thanks for the peak into this charming book, I must say I'd love a copy. Your quilt looks very nice, I'd be tempted to make that one too! I remember my mother always saying, "pretty is as pretty does". I wonder if anyone else grew up with that one.

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